Hall of Fame
Roosevelt Kelly played center four seasons (1973-76) for coach Roy Kidd’s Eastern football team. He was a first team All-OVC pick in 1976 and was named to the first-team Kodak, Associated Press and The Sporting News All-American teams. He was also selected last fall as the center on Eastern’s All-Century Team as the University’s athletics department celebrated 100 Years of Eastern football. Upon conclusion of his senior season, Kelly was drafted in the ninth round of the National Football League by the Pittsburgh Steelers. In his four seasons with the EKU football program, the Colonels compiled a 31-11-1 record, won two OVC titles and participated in the 1976 NCAA Division II playoffs. He was instrumental in opening holes for four seasons for All-American and EKU Hall of Fame member Everett “Poo-Loo” Talbert who twice ran for more than 1,000 yards behind Kelly. He also protected quarterback Ernie House who was OVC Co-Offensive Player of the Year in 1976 and who threw for 1,486 yards and 11 TDs. He is married to Tara Kelly, who is the founder and CEO of the TYL Foundation of Cincinnati, Ohio which helps young women learn life’s skills.
